Weather myths that 3 in 4 of us believe

WE are bombarded daily by forecasts that use the latest computer modelling.

But three in four of us are still more likely to rely on old wives’ tales to predict the weather.

We retain a belief – often misguided – that cows lie down when it’s about to rain or that a red sky at night means it will be fine tomorrow, according to a survey for the Met Office.

It found 58 per cent of UK adults believe weather proverbs are accurate to some degree – and two-thirds of these say they can be more reliable than official forecasts. However, nearly half of those who have relied on old wives’ tales to predict the weather admit they have been caught out.

Not all those who believe the proverbs make use of them. While 83 per cent accept ‘ red sky at night, shepherd’s delight’ as true, only 70 per cent rely on it as a guide to the next day’s weather.

The Met Office looked at several of the best-known pieces of folklore to see which are scientifically accurate and which are myths.

While around a quarter of us believe that if it is wet on St Swithin’s Day – July 15 – there will be rain on each of the next 40 days, there is no evidence to back this up.

Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: ‘ Some of these weather sayings are backed up by science, others are nothing more than old wives’ tales.

‘But either way, none of the methods are as accurate as official forecasts from the Met Office.’

Thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow could bring up to 2in of rain and flash flooding. Warnings have been issued for England and Wales by the Met Office and Environment Agency. After sunshine and temperatures up to 32C (89F) today, storms are due to arrive from 5pm south of a line from Pem-

‘Some are backed up by science’

brokeshire to Suffolk. Tomorrow will see thunder and heavy rain across most of England and Wales. From Thursday, it will be cooler with sunshine and showers.